Brushing and flossing twice a day is a great way of protecting your dental health. But, often, that is not enough. This could mean exorbitant bills being paid at the dentist’s, which becomes a necessary evil to protect your beautiful radiating smile. Thankfully, dental plans can cover preventive, restorative, and even basic care procedures. These plans are designed to cover your oral health and ensure you can easily maintain it effectively. So let us know more in detail.
Different types of dental insurance plans
EPO/HMO dental insurances have a wide range of benefits that cover preventive and diagnostic procedures. The cost associated with this type of insurance is minimal, and the services are rendered at a fixed copayment option. However, people opting for HMO insurance do not have complete freedom as they have to stick to the insurance network for dental services.
PPO dental insurances also have a network of dentists and hygienists, allowing insurers to contact an out-of-network dentist. The insurer is only charged extra when seeking treatment from an out-of-network dentist. Sticking to the network provides insurers with better benefits as preventive and diagnostic procedures do not cost anything. Dental PPOs come with a maximum amount that the insurance pays annually. Once you have surpassed that amount, the rest of the bill during the year is to be paid by you.
The choice between the two is based on whether you are looking for a comprehensive plan or one that gives you some freedom. It would be best to consider whether you prioritize comprehensive or preventive coverage from your dental insurance plans.
Doing your due diligence when looking at your options for a dental insurance plan is of utmost importance. Compare all your costs and benefits along with the network these plans provide.
Some tips that can help you find the best plan for you and your family are:
Proactively get a plan
Many people make the mistake of considering dental insurance plans when they start experiencing trouble with their teeth. Signing up for an insurance plan requires a waiting period before you can reap its benefits. This waiting period is mandatory, and getting insurance when you need treatment nullifies its purpose. Most dental insurance plans do not require a waiting period for preventive procedures. However, it is smarter to get dental insurance even before treatment is required.
Understand the costs
When selecting a dental insurance plan, it is important to look at the network’s size and options. This consideration is handy when changing dentists or seeking expert opinion. If your dental insurance plan has a huge network in your area, you won’t have to spend out-of-pocket or swap plans when switching doctors. Plus, sticking to in-network dentists helps avoid any surprise charges later on.
Crosscheck with your provider
Since most dental insurance providers have a network, it is easier to stick to it. But, if you have your dental care provider, you might not be readily willing to give up their services for the sake of a dental insurance plan. In this case, it is easier to check out insurance plans that include your provider in their network and assess if it meets your needs.
Get one at work
Group dental insurances are one of the easiest and cheapest solutions available to employees. These plans are known for their comprehensive coverage with the best possible prices. If there is a possibility that your employer could be offering your dental insurance coverage, it is the best choice you can
make.
Now that we have covered the basics of dental insurance selection, let us look at some of the best providers in the country.
Cigna
If the one thing you want your dental insurance provider to consider is budget, Cigna is just the right choice for you. Some of their plans cost as little as $19 a month per person and do not hide any copays or deductibles for routine care. The provider has a dental network of about 92,000 dentists and is known for its budget-friendly insurance plans.
Delta Dental
The biggest win with selecting Delta Dental is that it covers orthodontic treatments with some plans. This can be difficult to find with most other dental insurance providers. And since the provider has a large network of dentists, you don’t have to work hard to find one near you.
United Healthcare
United Healthcare dental insurances are a great fit for families and individuals, and even more so since it does not have any age restrictions. The company has multiple plans, each of which comes with various benefits. However, the downside is that some plans come with copay charges.
Smart Health Dental
One of the biggest benefits of choosing Smart Health Dental is that some plans do not require waiting for procedures like bridges, implants, and dentures. And if you choose a comprehensive plan, you get additional benefits each year.